Tuesday, 8 April, 2025
Envoy nominees face questions on DRC conflict, impact of UN - Habitat 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations conducted approval hearings to determine suitability of an ambassadorial nominee and UN envoy position.
Eng. Peter Tum and Ms. Susan Nakhumincha appeared before Committee Members on their suitability and qualifications.
Eng. Peter Tum, nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to the DRC, faced questions from lawmakers on his suitability to serve in a country currently grappling with internal conflict.
“You have been nominated to a very sensitive position noting the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Hon. Yusuf Hassan. “You are qualified as an engineer, but you have no training in diplomacy or international relations. What is your understanding of the conflict in Eastern Congo, and what position should Kenya take?”
In his response, Tum acknowledged DRC’s strategic value, citing its population of 100 million and vast mineral and agricultural wealth.
“DRC is a strategic partner. We can enhance trade under the East African Community framework and foster bilateral agreements, especially in skills development and training,” he said. “We want to do clean business—beneficial to both countries.”
Mr. Tum, who has previously served as Principal Secretary in the State Departments for Sports, Medical Services, and Labour, said Kenya must leverage its economic and political relations with the DRC to bridge peace in the ongoing strife.
However, the Committee raised concerns about security risks facing Kenyan traders in DRC.
“There is currently no Kenyan diplomatic station operating in the DRC—it has been vandalized and the Deputy Ambassador had to return,” said the Committee Chair, Hon Nelson Koech. “Trade cannot thrive in the middle of civil conflict.”
Hon. Martha Wangari added that Kenya's diplomatic relations with DRC remain tense.
In response Eng. Tum said, "Our banks are working in DRC but we can enhance our presence. In terms of trade, DRC is part of the EAC community we can implement the East African Community Trade Agreements. We can enhance this for the benefit of Kenya and DRC."
He added that, "we want to do clean business we can have bilateral agreements for skills development training their engineers, nurses and doctors and have skills transfer to benefit both DRC and Kenya."
The Committee also put Eng. Peter Tum to task on his involvement in the mosquitoes net procurement scandal that took place during his tenure as PS, Medical Services.
In a separate session, Ms. Susan Nakhumincha, nominated as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), was questioned over her prior tenure as Health Cabinet Secretary and involvement in the mosquito net procurement scandal.
Responding to the Committee Members on the mosquito net scandal, she said, “It is regrettable. This was a procurement issue and has been resolved.”
The Committee also probed her handling of the ongoing doctors’ strike..“Doctors agitating for their rights is not new. We’ve had previous strikes in Kenya,” she said, adding that her removal during the Gen Z protests was an “occupational hazard.”
Speaking on the presence of UN Habitat and other multi-nationals. Hon. Martha Wangari pointed out
“We don’t feel the impact of UN agencies in Kenya. What are you going to do improve this situation?”
Ms. Nakhumincha pledged to better align UN-Habitat’s urbanization agenda with Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme.
“It is estimated that 31% of Kenyans live in urban centres. I will coordinate urban policy implementation and partner with the State Department for Housing and Ministry of Lands,” she said. “I will leverage the UN-Habitat chapter on affordable housing to benefit Kenyans.”
“I chaired the Commonwealth Health Ministers Forum and represented the President.eehijallu and internationally. These are diplomatic roles,” she added. “Where I have a deficiency, I am willing to learn.”